In Other News

ZBA Approves Controversial Porch in Franklin

At a contentious public ZBA Hearing on August 28 much of the attention was focused on the 40B project at 444 East Central Street. However the first item on the agenda, an application for a variance to add a porch at 28 Queen Street, seemed to have been dismissed out of hand by the ZBA, in the eyes of those attending, including Town Administrator Jamie Hellen.  The complaints were loud. Yesterday evening at 5 pm, the ZBA reconvened and approved the porch variance. Chair Bruce Hunchard (pictured above, calling the meeting to order) characterized the prior "decision" as a misunderstanding and a procedural error and defended ZBA's processes. He also commented on the "keyboard warriors" who complain that he and fellow ZBA member Archie Acevedo don't button their collars high enough. "Get a life," he said. The porch applicant, Sam Williams and his wife Jennifer both reportedly sought positions on the ZBA in the past, according to a town official. Sam is now Chair of the Design Review Commission and Jennifer is Clerk of the Planning Board.

Not a Run of the Mill Morning

A source tells us there was an ICE raid at a Mill Street address in Franklin Wednesday morning, with at least one apparent arrest. ICE has not confirmed as of this writing.

Hunger Month in Medway

Monday, the Select Board recognized September as Hunger Action Month. Medway Food Pantry Directors Susan Dietrich and Paul Galante, along with volunteers from the Town’s two food pantries, were in attendance to support this important cause. (Pictured left to right: Martin Dietrich, Kathie Olsen, Paul Galante, Director of the Mahan Circle Food Pantry, Susan Dietrich, Director of Medway Village Food Pantry, Ellen Hillery, and Frank Hillery.) Their continued dedication ensures that local families in need have access to essential resources.

Some Like it Not

The Greater Dowses Beach group is one of the few actually cheering the roadblocks put up by the Federal Government to wind power projects off the South Coast. Their particular gripe is what they call the "massive" on-shore infrastructure being constructed to support the power generation off shore.